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Soundcheck / July 02, 2008

Soundcheck

Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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  • Brooklyn Masonic Temple
    (hirefrank/flickr)

    Change You Can... Dance To

    As Soundcheck airs our first show from our new Varick Street studios, the New York music scene is also undergoing big changes. New venues like Drom, (Le) Poisson Rouge and The Brooklyn Masonic Temple are in. Meanwhile CBGB, Tonic and The Village Gate are out. And the Williamsburg club Galapagos is moving to Dumbo. We’ll find out what's behind the club shuffle.

    Also: Vinicio Capossela is the Italian equivalent of Tom Waits, but his live shows come with scary masks and costumes. He joins us to talk about his new album, which includes collaborators like producer JD Foster (Tom Waits/Calexico) and composer Anthony Coleman.

New York's Club Shuffle

Keeping up with the city's ever-evolving club scene is a part-time job. Joining us to give us the latest overview of who's in, who's out -- and who's moved -- are Time Out New York music editor Mike Wolf, Le Poisson Rouge co-owner David Handler, and Galapagos director Robert Elmes.

Our blog: John Schaefer on New York's club shuffle

Le Poisson Rouge website
Galapagos Art Space website
Brooklyn Masonic Temple website

CD Picks of the Week

Each week, the Soundcheck staff digs through our inboxes to find the best new music.

The Hold Steady "Stay Positive" (Vagrant)

One of indie-rock’s top bands, The Hold Steady has been on a tear since moving from Minnesota to Brooklyn. Their latest, "Stay Positive," still has the band’s odd combination of heartland rock’n’roll with Craig Finn’s slice-of-life storytelling. But Finn, who has a distinctive speech/song delivery, actually gets closer to genuine singing on songs like "Sequestered in Memphis." --John Schaefer

Ahmad Jamal, "It’s Magic" (Birdology/Dreyfus Jazz)

In the 50s, pianist Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis. Jamal’s music contrasted simple and complex, sound and silence, can be clearly heard on the album "Miles Ahead." These days Jamal is sampled by rappers like Jay-Z and Nas. And the 77-year-old composer, producer and pianist continues to make music. His new album, “It’s Magic,” features him accompanied by drums, bass and percussion in an exhilarating recording. --Gisele Regatao

Dennis Wilson, “Pacific Ocean Blue” and “Bambu” (Caribou/Sony) Until now, this flawed rock masterpiece has been tough to find. “Pacific Ocean Blue” was the only solo album released by Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. When it came out in 1977, it revealed an introspective side of this handsome, funloving drummer. Sadly, his new career would be cut short. Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983 while diving off his boat. He was 39 years old. The reissue comes with an unfinished album called Bambu" that hints at what might have been. --Joel Meyer

Vinicio Capossela

Vinicio Capossela is the Italian equivalent of Tom Waits, but his live shows come with scary masks and costumes. He joins us to talk about his new album, which includes collaborators like producer JD Foster (Tom Waits/Calexico) and composer Anthony Coleman.

Vinicio Capossela will be performing at Highline Ballroom on Jul. 2 at 9 p.m.

cab

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.

vote

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

walmart

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

Michael Azerrad

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.

  1. Radiolab: Choice (11/14/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: Cabinet 2.0 (11/13/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: The Hybrid Economy (11/18/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: Agriculture Warrior (11/17/2008)
  5. The Leonard Lopate Show: After Oil (11/13/2008)
  6. The Brian Lehrer Show: Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble (11/19/2008)
  7. The Brian Lehrer Show: Pay To Play Nice (11/14/2008)